Edge holding separable fastener



' Oct; 13, 1936. N. FULTON I EDGE HOLDING SEPARABLE FASTENER I Original Filed J'une 26, 1934 Sheets-Sheet 1 M; Fall on Gnome/ 1 Oct. 13, 1936. I N, F LT v 2,057,426

' EDGE HOLDING SEPARABLE FASTENER Originai Filed June 26, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 'f'i, 5, M 31.

l 5 to L Oct. 13, 1936. N. FULTON EDGE HOLDING SEPARABLE' FASTENER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed June 26, 1934 Oct.13,19 3 6. NFULTON 2,057,426

EDGE HOLDING SEPARABL'E FASTENER Original Filed June-26, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 10 w r 0% v SYW 9 1 me fuzz Patented Oct. is, 1936 2,057,425

UNHTD PATENT FFECE EDGE HOLDING SEPARABLE FASTENER Nell Fulton, New York, N. Y.

Application June 26, 1934, Serial No. 732,526 Renewed March-4, 1936 7 Claims. (01. 24201) The present invention relates to separable fasthrough the outer end of the cuff on the line 22 teners, and more particularly to a member or eleof Figure 1. V

ment which may be incorporated in the structure Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of of the separable fastener or be embodied in an the outer lap of material having an element of a attachment for the separable fastener to engage separable fastener securedthereto and provided the edge of the material beyond the fastener for with a holding finger, the material being shown holding the edge flat against the underlapping prior to turning down over the finger.

portion of the material to completely enclose and Figure 4 is a similar view showing the edge porhide from view the parts of the separable fastion of the material over-turned about the end of l0 tener. the holding finger.

It is well known that in separable fasteners, Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a such as of the twopart clasp type and also the modified form of the holding finger as applied hook and eye type, that when these fasteners are to the outer lap of material and adapted to resecured together and tension is placed upon the ceive a conventional form of fastener member overlapping portions of the material the outer therein, the edge of the material being r y o 15 overlapping part of the material pulls baekwardbe turned Over. ly and outwardly from the fastener and'exposes Figure 6 is a like view showing a conventional the same to view which not only destroys the apyp o t e ember Secured n th finger pearance and symmetry of the garment or the and showing the material overturned on the like to which the fastener is attached, but also finger and Stitched in posi io 20 imposes unnecessary strains upon the material Figure 7 is a plan view of a further modified and the threads, and frequently results in looserie form of theholding finger showing the ring relaing the elements of the fastener. tively narrow and stitched directly to the ma- It is an object of the invention therefore to terial. provide a separable fastener the outer part of Figure 8 is a plan view of a further modified 25 which carries either directly or otherwise a finform of the finger S ow a Slotted portion o ger or projecting portion which may extend into receiving threads therethrough and upon which the hem or overturned edge of the outer lap of a conventional type of fastener member is adaptthe material, the finger being curved inwardly ed to be mounted, the edge of the material 0 toward the underlapping portion of the matebeing shown prior tofolding upon the finger.

rial so as to hold the edge of the outer lap of ma- F gu e 9 is a Similar eW Showing a conventerial flat against the inner lap of material and tional type of fastener element secured by completely enclose the fastener and hold the stitches to the finger and to the material, and outer lap of material from pulling away from showing the edge of the material in overturned the outer member of the fastener. position on the finger. 35

It is also an object of the present invention Y Figure 10 is a transverse sectionthrou the to provide a fastener embodying these features Same taken 011 the line of Figure and wherein the same may be made and u d Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view taken either singly or in groups of desired number, and through a combined fastener and finger C011- wherein the holding finger or member may exstructed according to the present invention and 40 tend to,any desired extent under the edge pors w as a mod fi at fastening p s for tion of the material, either in the hem or othersecuring the element to a layer of material.

wise as is found expedient in securing the fas- Figure 12 is a p r ve V Of the Same as tener to the goods. applied to the hem of the material, prior to With the foregoing and other objects in view, clampi g in position. 45

the invention will be more fully described hereure 13 a l e V ew w e Combined eleinafter, and will be more particularly pointed merit and fastener clamped into position with out in the claims appended hereto. the prongs clinched through the material.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to gu 4 is p p View O a further odlike or corresponding parts throughout the sevified form of the combined fastener element and 50' eral views, finger, the view showing in dotted lines marginal Figure 1 is a perspective View of the cuff closed p s turned und the ner element. on the arm by the use of fasteners embodying Figure15 is a perspective view of the modified the edge'holding means of this invention. form of the combined fastener element and finger 555 Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse section of Figure 13.

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Figure 16 is a fragmentary elevation of the opposite ends of a belt showing a further modified form of fastener element applied thereto.

Figure 17 is a transverse section taken through the same on the line I'i-| 7 of Figure 16 and with the ends of the belt in overlapping position ready to be interlocked.

Figure 18 is a detail perspective view of the combined fastener element and finger of Figure 16.

Figure 19 is an inner face view of the outer end of a belt showing a further modified form of fastener applied thereto and embodying the holding fingers of the present invention, the same being taken on the line l9--I9 of Figure 20.

Figure 20 is a central longitudinal section taken through the same.

Figure 21 is a perspective view of the overlapping ends of a belt, showing a modified form of holder applied thereto.

Figure 22 is a front elevation of the holder.

Figure 23 is a vertical section taken through the holder as applied to the belt on the line 23- 23 of Figure 21.

Figure 24 is an inner face view of a separable fastener showing the elements interlocked and showing the improved edge holding means embodied in the structure.

Figure 25 is an edge view of the same, the dotted lines showing the overlapping edge portions of material carrying the respective fastener elements.

Figure 26 is an inner face view of a further modified form of separable fastener showing the members interlocked and with the improved holding device embodied in the structure.

Figure 27 is an edge view of the same, the

dotted lines showing the overlapping edge portions of material on which the fastener members are mounted.

Figure 28 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of material overturned to provide a hem without a seam and having a modified form of the separable fastener applied thereto where the fasteners are shown in group form and wherein a protective paper shield is shown over the projecting finger.

Figure 29 is a similar view showing the paper shield slightly modified for use in connection with a single projecting finger.

Figure 30 is a detail perspective view of the paper shield of Figure 29.

Figure 31 is a transverse section taken through the modified form on the line 3 I -3l of Figure 29.

Figure 32 is a fragmentary perspective view of a garment with the sleeve removed and showing a side opening equipped with a modified form of'separable fastener constructed according to the present invention.

Figure 33 is an enlarged sectional view of the edge portions of the garment with the fasteners mounted thereon and in separated position, the dotted lines showing the bending or overturning of the edge portions of the garment.

Figure 34 is a like view with the fastener members and edge portions of the garment overturned from the position shown in Figure 33.

Figure 35 is a fragmentary plan view of a sleeve or the like having another modified form of the fastener applied thereto.

Figure 36 is a similar View with the outer fold open and overturned to show the positions of the fastener elements and the stiffening fingers or elements thereof.

Figure 37 is a transverse section through 2.

sleeve having the fasteners of Figure 35 applied thereto.

Figure 38 is a detail plan view of the finger or stiffening element of Figure 35.

Figure 39 is a plan view of a slightly modified form of the same.

Figure 40 is a like view of a further modified form.

Figure 41 is a detail perspective view of a detachable stall for the end of the overturned finger of the fastener element, and

Figure 42 is a detail perspective view of the stall removed from the finger.

Referring now to the drawings, and first to the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 4, 3i; designates the inner or underlap of a piece of material over which is secured an over or outer lap 3i, the laps 30 and 3! being detachably held in overlapping position by a separable fastener which may embody a socket member 32 stitched or otherwise suitably secured to the underlap 3i) and a head or ball element 33 which is stitched or otherwise secured to the outer lap 3i. These overlapping portions 30 and 3| of the material may comprise parts of a garment, such as shown in Figure l, the ends of a belt, or may be the overlapping ends or edge portions of any structure capable of being detachably held together by separable fasteners. In the present instance tne outer or overlap 3| is shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4 as being first formed into a hem secured by a line of stitching 34 to provide a double thickness of the material. The separable fastener element 33, which is the ball or head of a snap fastener in the present illustration, is secured by stitches 35 to the hem in suitably spaced relation from the outer or free edge thereof in the usual manner. According to this invention the fastener element 33 is provided with an outwardly extending finger or holding member 36 which may be stamped from the same blank as the base of the fastener member 33 and which may be rounded or broadened at its outer end so as to fit against the material and prevent tearing or injury thereto and to also prevent drawing of the material from a single point.

As shown in Figure 3, the finger 36 extends but a short distance from the fastener element 33 and the edge portion of the hem extends beyond the end of the finger sufficiently to provide a second hem or overturned portion 31 which, as shown in Figure 4, is adapted to be turned down against the exposed side of the finger 36.

A line of stitching 38 may secure the second hem 31 in overlapping engagement upon the finger. When the finger 36 is broadened at its outer end that portion of the finger connecting the broadened or extended portion with the base portion 33 may be reduced so that there will not be an undue gap in the stitching 38. The finger 35, as shown best in Figure 2, is curved inwardly toward the side of the head of the fastener element so as to extend at its free end toward the underlap 36 of the material, and the second hem 31 or outer edge of the overlap 3| is held fiat and in binding engagement against the outer side of the underlap 30. This finger 36 thus holds the free edge of the overlap 34 from drawing backwardly over and from the separable fastener to expose the same. Of course any desired number of the separable fasteners each with a finger 36 may be provided along an opening of a garment or the like, such as the cuff shown in Figure 1, so that the outer edge of the joint or connection is held flat. and from curling or turning outwardly at all times. It is, of course, understood that .these fingers or holding devices 36 may be of any suitable width at their free ends, and may even constitute a continuous supporting edge portion carried by the fingers. The finger 36 may be so proportioned as to thickness and size as to offer the required resistance to hold the outer edge fiat but at; the same time to yield under any pressure tending to spring apart or open the separable fasteners used.

. Referring now to the modification shown in Figures 5 and 6, it is apparent that the holding finger 39 may be constructed separately from the elements of the separable fastener and in this instance the inner end or attaching portion of the finger 39 may comprise a body ring 40, the central opening of which is of sufiicient size, as shown in Figure 6, to receive the element 4| of the separable fastener. Stitches 42 may be secured through openings or slots provided in the ring 4|]v and fastener element 4| to hold these parts in relative positions and upon the overlap 3|.

As a slight modification of this structure, there is shown in Figure 7, a ring or attaching part 43 which is relatively narrow so that the stitches 44 may be secured through the ring 43 and the adjacent material and the fastener element 4| may be secured independently in the ring if desired.

In cases where the thickness of the materials and fastener elements is not of great importance,

a holding finger 45 may be employed, as shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10. In this form of the invention the finger 45 may be a curved metal strip of substantially uniform width rounded at opposite ends and having in its attaching and concentrically disposed slots 46 proportioned to receive thereover the base of the fastener element 4|, so that the openings in the fastener element will register with the slots 46, as shown in Figure 9.

Stitches 50 may thus pass through the registering openings of the fastener element and the openings or slots 46 in the underlying end of the finger 45, the stitches 50 extending into the material or overlap 3| to hold these parts in assembled position.

In the modification shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13, the fastener element 5| comprises one" end of a length of sheet metal which is overturned to form the fastener element 5| at one end and this fastening element is provided with inwardly struck prongs 52 adapted to enter the overturned 7 layer or hem 53 of the material when the metallic strip is compressed together, as shown in Figure 13. The free end of the metal strip extends beyond the fastener element 5| and provides the edge holding finger 54. This finger 54 may have an inwardly struck prong 55 spaced sufficiently from the overturned end of the strip to escape the fastener element 5| when the latter is bent down into closed position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 11.

In applying this form of the fastener to the hem 53, the finger 54 is inserted beneath the hem and moved forwardly therein to engage the outer overturned edge of the material. The prong 5| extends upwardly through the material and is turned down or clinched, as shown in Figure 13. The fastener element 5| is now bent downwardly on the material and the prongs 52 are deflected by the underlying portion of the finger 54 to clinch into the thickness of the hem 53.; i i

Figures 14 and 15 show a modification of this form of the invention wherein the finger 56 has a prong 51 adapted to engage upwardly through the hem 53 and the fastener element 58 which is provided on the inner end of the finger 56 has a plurality of marginal prongs 59 which are bent inwardly toward the base of the finger 56 and adapted to bear against the same after passing through the hem 53 for deflecting the prongs 59 inwardly beneath the fastener element 58, as shown in Figure 14. In the forms of the invention shown in Figures 11 to 15, it is unnecessary to provide stitches of other fastening means for the device as the prongs adequately hold the finger and the fastener element in their respective positions.

In Figures 16 to 18 there is shown another slight. modified form of the invention adapted particularly to belts and the like. The inner end 60 of the belt is provided with a longitudinal row of spaced apart fastener elements 6| which may be of any suitable type, such as of the snap fastener type and the elements shown being in the form of sockets. The outer end 62 of the belt has a pocket portion 63 secured thereto by stitches 64 or the like at the pointed or free end of the belt, the pocket opening backwardly from the point as shown. In Figure 18 the modified form of device embodies a fastener element 65 which is complemental to the elements 6| and may be in the form of a head or ball for selective engagement in one of the socket elements 6|. The fastener element 65 may be of disc or other suitable form having openings therein for receiving stitches 66 securing the element against the exposed side of the pocket 63.

.The fastener element 65 is provided with a finger 61 which may project from the inner edge of the fastener element and is overturned in spaced relation to the under side thereof so that the finger 61 projects forwardly into the pocket 63. The finger 61 is curved toward the fastener element 65 so as to hold the free end or extremity of the belt 62 in the inwardly curved position against the outer face of the inner end 60.

With reference now to Figures 19 and 20, the further modification shows the outer end 62 of the belt provided with a plurality of cross straps or loops 68 which are spaced apart lengthwise of the belt and are adapted toreceive therein near their upper and lower ends a pair of fingers 69 which are in the form of hooks which may be fiat, as shown in Figure 20, and provided with base or attaching portions 10 suitably apertured for the reception of stitches or the like to secure the fingers or hooks to the inner end 60 of the belt.

Another form of holding device used in connection with the belt is shown in Figures 21, 22 and 23. In this form, a, finger or lip H is up-turned outwardly from an attaching strip 12, the latter being perforated or otherwise suitably constructed to receive the stitches or the like to secure the base strip 12 against the inner end 69 of the belt, as shown in Figure 3, and with the finger projecting forwardly and upwardly to frictionally receive therein the lower portion of the outer end 62 of the belt.

The outer end 62 of the belt is thus held from sagging downwardly from the inner end 60, as shown'in Figure 21. This device may be used in connection with a buckle or other suitable fastening means andholds the free end of the belt fiat.

As shown in Figures 24 to 2'7, the invention may be readily embodied in a hook and eye or like structure of wire. In the form shown in Figures 24 and 25, the hook and eye are shown in their interengaging positions and wherein the hook 13 is of the conventional form overturned and of double thickness with the sideportions of the wire spaced apart. As shown in Figures 24 and 25, the wire is looped near one end into a hook 13 which is adapted to engage through the eye 16. The adjacent end of the wire is returned beneath one side of the hook 13 into the base of the hook and is bent into a thread receiving eye 14 from which the wire extends into a cam or hump l lying between the base portions of the hook l3 and terminating thereat.

The other end portion of the wire is returned beneath the opposite side of the hook 13 into the base thereof and is bent into a second thread receiving loop 1! from which the wire extends .forwardly along the base of the book 13 to near the outer closed end thereof where the wire is bent into a large loop or finger 18 of sufiicient size to receive the eye 16 therethrough, the end of the large loop 18 terminating at the opposite side of the base portion of the hook.13. The loop or finger I8 is curved forwardly or toward the plane of the hook 13 so as to receive thereover, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 25, the outer lap 19 of the material which may be rolled or turned over the outer end of the finger 18 so as to hold the material of the outer lap tight against the surface of the inner lap 88 of the material.

The provision of this finger 18 thus holds the material of the outer lap in such position as to prevent exposure of the hook and eye and also to hold the outer lap from pulling backwardly from the base portion of the hook 13.

As a modification of the above, Figures 26 and 27 show a wire hook 8| with which engages an eye 82 of the straight bar type having loops at opposite ends adapted to be stitched to the inner lap 83 of the material. In this case the hook 8! may be relatively long and narrow and the finger forming end 8 30f the wire may be carried outwardly along the base of the hook 8| at one side and bent into. a relatively narrow finger 85 which extends beyond the hook 8| and the eye 82, when in position, and which is also bent toward the plane of the hook 8| so as to hold the outer lap 85 of the material at its outer edge flat against the inner lap.

It is readily appreciated that various other modified constructions of the separable fasteners of either sheet metal or wire may be used in conjunction with the holding or pressure finger to provide a close fitting and neat edge to the overlapping portions of material.

The invention may be embodied in multiple or group fasteners, as shown in Figure 28, wherein two of the fasteners 33 have their projecting fingers combined in a single broad or bar finger 8'! and this construction may be carried out through any number of the fasteners 33, or other modified forms as desired. A protector 89 of paper or the like may be placed between the bar finger 81 and the fold of material 3|, the protector 89 being preferably of paper blank form and it may have its marginal edge upturned, rounded, beaded or otherwise formed to protect the outer fold 31 of the material when overturned upon the finger bar 87. For the purpose of holding the protector 89 in placeand also for holding the finger bar 81 firmly to the material, the finger bar 81 may be provided with any suitable number of openings 88 suitably arranged for receiving stitches or the like adapted to pass through the bar 8'! and the protector 89.

In the modification shown in Figures 29, 30 and 31, the single finger of the fastener 3| is provided with the stitch receiving openings 88 and also with the single protector 90 which may be of. paper or other suitable material with a rolled or turned over or otherwise suitably formed protecting edge, such as shown in Figure 31, to protect the material, particularly when sheer from cutting or damaged by the fingers of the fastener.

It will be noted that the stitching 34, shown in Figures 3 and 4, may be omitted as the stitching of the fasteners to the overturned material will suffice and thus all the stitching which is used need go through the inner wall or lap of the material only so that no stitching will show on the outer side. The protector 99, as shown in Figure 30, may be provided with suitable openings 9| for freely receiving the stitching therethrough,

although the protector when constructed of paper will readily admit passage of the needle during the stitching operation.

The outer edge of the fingers ,may, of. course, be constructed in any suitable manner to protect the material as by rolling, and the fastener elements may be covered with cloth, wound with silk or the like and the invention may be embodied in various structures combining the various features above brought out in the modifications.

With reference 'to Figures 32, 33 and 34 it will be seen that this invention may be embodied in a structure wherein the fingers or arms 92 may be projected and overturned from either or both elements 93 and 94 of the separable fastener. In the present illustration this structure is shown as applied to a garment 95 having a side opening extending from the arm pit downwardly and having edge portions 96 and 91 which are brought into out-er face contact by turning in and over one of the edge portions 96 or 97 as shown.

The separable fastener elements 93 and 94 are secured by stitching, prongs, or any other suitable means to the outer faces of. the edge portions 96 and 9! and each have a finger or stiffening member 92 which is overturned about a binding 98 which may be stitched about the marginal edges of the garment opening. The fingers 92 extend backwardly to and are curved inwardly at a point beyond the respective fastener elements to engage the edge portion of the garment 95 at a point 99 about which the edge portion may bend or fold as these free edge portions 96 and 91 may be swung to one side or the other as shown in Figures 33 and 34. In either position the fingers 92 hold the outer edge portion of the garment flat against the outer face of the other edge portion of the garment and prevent the pulling of the material away so that the fasteners cannot be seen.

In the modification shown in Figures 35 to 40 inclusive, the edge portions I09 and lfll of a sleeve are shown provided with the complemental elements I02 and I33 of a row of separable fasteners. The outer edge portion I09 of the sleeve has a finger or stiffener I04 for each adjacent fastener element I02 and each finger I 94 has a base or attaching end which is slotted or otherwise apertured for stitching to the edge portion I09 adjacent the fastener element I02, the finger I04 being overturned about the edge of the sleeve portion I08 and provided with an ornamental head l05 which lies flat against the outer position on the sleeve.

In Figure 39 the finger I06 has attaching prongs ID! for use in lieu of the stitches, and the ornamental head I08 may also have a prong I09 for holding the head fiat against the outer side of the sleeve.

From Figure 40 it will be seen that the finger I I may have a base portion II I comprising one element of the separable fastener and the shank of the finger may have thread receiving slots I !2 and may have an ornamental head II3 of any suitable configuration.

In Figure 41 the fastener element H4 has a backwardly overturned finger II5 covered at its free end by a stall or hook Ht of paper, rubber or any other suitable substance to protect the fabric, such as shown in Figures 33 and 34,

7 against injury incident to the rubbing and pressure of. the finger I I5 thereagainst.

What is claimed is:

1. As anew article of manufacture, an elongated member for use with one element of a pair of separable fasteners for maintaining an outer overlapping edge of flexible material in contacting relation with the underlying edge, comprising a base portion provided with means for attachment to a fabric and a finger portion for engagement with the overlapping edge of the flexible material.

2. As a new article of manufacture, an elongated member for use with one element of a pair of separable fasteners for maintaining an outer overlapping edge of flexible material in contacting relation with the underlying edge, comprising a base portion provided with means for attachment to a fabric and a longitudinally bent finger portion for engagement with the overlapping edge of the flexible material.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a pressure finger for use with one element of a pair of separable fasteners for maintaining an outer overlapping edge of flexible material in contacting relation with the underlying edge, comprising an elongated pressure finger constructed of relatively rigid material, and a base portion at an end thereof and constituting an eye, said base portion being provided with means for attachment to the material.

4. As a new article of manufacture, a pressure finger for use with one element of a pair of separable fasteners for maintaining an outer overlapping edge of flexible material in contacting relation with the underlying edge, comprising an elongated member, and a base portion at an end thereof and constituting an eye, said base portion being provided with means for attachment to the material, the inside diameter of the eye being substantially equal to the diameter of the base portion of said one part of a pair of separable fasteners.

. 5. As a new article of manufacture, a means for use with one element of a pair of separable fasteners for maintaining an outer overlapping edge of flexible material in contacting relation with the underlying edge, comprising a base portion, and a relatively broad pressure finger including a reduced connecting portion connecting the base With the finger, said base portion having means for attachment to the material.

6. An edge holding means for maintaining an outer overlapping edge of flexible material in contacting relation with the underlying edge, comprising a pressure finger having an extended portion and a base, connecting means connecting NELL FULTON. 

